12.4 Loss, Grieving & Bereavement

Question 1

What is the definition of grief?

Answer 1

The emotional and psychological reaction to loss (is what you FEEL)

Question 2

What is the definition of bereavement?

Answer 2

Describes the period of grief after something valued is lost (e.g. someone close) (what happens to you)

Question 3

What is the definition of mourning?

Answer 3

Mourning is a time of sadness because of a loss (when we experience grief) (is what one does)

Question 4

How can we predict how people will grieve?

Answer 4

• Traumatic deaths
• PMH mental health difficulties
• Cultural beliefs
• Relationship difficulties
• Previous losses
• Social support
• Consequences of that loss

Question 5

How can we categorise grief? (& give examples of these categories)

Answer 5

Physical signs

• Nausea
• Sleep disturbance
• Lethargy
• Reduced appetite
• Headaches
• Psychosomatic illness
• Low level infections

Thoughts

• Disbelief
• Sense of unreality
• Short term memory loss
• Reduced sense of purpose
• Dreams
• Poor concentration
• obsessive thoughts

Feelings

• Anxiety
• Anger
• Sadness
• Injustice
• Regret
• Relief
• Helplessness
• Shock
• Numb
• Guilt

Behavioural

• Social withdrawal
• Overactive
• Change in habits
• Planning radical changes

Question 6

What are the different types of grief?

Answer 6

1. NORMAL (should normally last 6 months-2 years)
   
   • May find day/life activities difficult
   • Numb, shock, pain
   • Waves of emotion
2. ANTICIPATORY
   
   • ​Inpending loss
3. INHIBITED
   
   • ​Avoiding or escaping feelings
4. COMPLICATED
   
   • ​Overwhelmed
   • Obsessive, irrational thoughts
   • Usually need counselling
5. DELAYED
   
   • ​Initial grief blocked
6. DISENFRANCHISED
   
   • ​Grief that is not socially acceptable e.g. abortion
7. ABSENT
   
   • ​In denial
8. EXAGGERATED (abdnormal grief)
   
   • ​Grief remains prominent in person’s life (years after loss)
   • High anxiety levels
   • Inability to see a future
   • Preoccuation with loss
   • Self-destructive behaviour
   • Won’t accept impact of loss

Question 7

Exlplain the traditional/phase models of grief

Answer 7

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression OR Acceptance

Question 8

Explain the Growing around grief model

Answer 8

This describes what happens from inside out rather than the outside in

Question 9

Explain the dual process model

Answer 9

• Focuses on loss itself- memories, yearning, preoccupation, continuing bonds
• Then restoration- adjusting, what needs to be done, mastering**new tasks

Question 10

Explain how 3 different religions deal with grief/death

Answer 10

1. Muslims- are always buried, there is aritual washing of the body which is draped before burial, which should occur as soon as possible after death. Women don’t attend the burial. The body is usually kept at home before the burial. Belief in life after death.
2. Christians- many different groups

Practice is variable, majority of people are cremated now, life after death believed in. Bodies rarely kept at home

3. Judaism- funeral within 24h of death,period of 7d called Shiva afterwards-where guests are invited to the family home.The body is “watched over “ by candlelight or sunlight.

Bodies are dressed in a simple shroud to reflect “equality for all”. Jews are buried not cremated.

Question 11

What do people want to hear when they are experiencing grief?

Answer 11

• Communication-clear and concise
• Acknowledgement and empathy
• Community and normalisation
• Support to find their own way